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Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. A group of Thurston Middle School students pose with end of school leis and yearbooks, before departing school for the beginning of summer vacation.
The long awaited, last day of school for Westwood Public School students finally came on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Directly following the Juneteenth holiday on Monday, students were already prepped and ready for summer break. The final day of the 2022-23 academic year was just a half-day, with dismissal at noon.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. Students at Martha Jones School have smiles in anticipation of summer.But some students had already ended their school attendance on Friday of the previous week. Their families had planned summer travel - often internationally - that took advantage of the long holiday weekend.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. At Thurston Middle School, students have leis around their necks as they hold their yearbooks.For the many students who dutifully came for the half-day, there were yearbooks (and in some cases, tee shirts) to autograph and circulate among friends; backpacks to stuff a final time with artwork, paper, and keepsakes from class; farewells to classmates, dedicated teachers and staff; and then a rush out the door - with shouts, cheers, and/or applause - and off to celebratory activities.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Public Schools. Students at Martha Jones School greet their summer freedom with excitement and applause.Residents around Westwood can now expect to see many more youth around town in the earlier hours of the day. Their presence and chatter will be seen and felt in local eateries and shops, and on town sidewalks, fields, basketball courts, and baseball diamonds.
Carefree summer freedom reigns until Wednesday, August 30, 2023. That's when the next academic year begins.
Thanks to Darcie Fisher and Westwood Public Schools for sharing these photos with Westwood Minute.
